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United States Patent |
6,142,664
|
Ikawa
,   et al.
|
November 7, 2000
|
Molten metal probe
Abstract
A molten metal probe which is dipped into molten metal and thereafter
pulled up therefrom and which is capable of preferably providing
solidification temperature data of the molten metal and providing a
solidified sample. A probe main body includes an introductory path facing
a flow inlet formed at a side portion thereof, a communicating path and a
sampling path branched respectively upwardly and downwardly from the
introductory path, a temperature measuring chamber communicated with the
communicating path extended upwardly, a sampling chamber communicated with
the sampling path extended downwardly, and a temperature sensor facing the
temperature measuring chamber.
Inventors:
|
Ikawa; Osamu (Nishihonmachi, JP);
Iwamoto; Yasunori (Nishihonmachi, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Kawaso Electric Industrial Kabushiki Kaisha (Osaka, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
|
222913 |
Filed:
|
December 30, 1998 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Jan 20, 1998[JP] | 10-023738 |
Current U.S. Class: |
374/140; 73/864.55 |
Intern'l Class: |
G01K 001/12; G01N 001/12 |
Field of Search: |
73/864.59,864.55,DIG. 9,864.56,864.57
374/140
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3646816 | Mar., 1972 | Hance et al. | 73/DIG.
|
4002069 | Jan., 1977 | Takemura et al. | 374/140.
|
4048857 | Sep., 1977 | Bardenheuer et al. | 374/140.
|
4102197 | Jul., 1978 | Bardenheuer et al. | 374/140.
|
4401389 | Aug., 1983 | Theuwis | 73/864.
|
4699014 | Oct., 1987 | Boron | 73/864.
|
4896549 | Jan., 1990 | Falk | 374/140.
|
5515739 | May., 1996 | Baerts | 73/864.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
3039027 | Oct., 1982 | DE | 374/140.
|
Primary Examiner: Gutierrez; Diego
Assistant Examiner: Pruchnic, Jr.; Stanley J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nixon Peabody LLP, Safran; David S.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A molten metal probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter
pulled up therefrom comprising a probe main body (1), a flow inlet (3)
provided at a side portion of said probe main body for flowing in the
molten metal, a temperature measuring chamber (10) and a sampling chamber
(25) separately provided in said probe main body for solidifying the
molten metal flowed therein respectively, and a temperature sensor (22)
arranged in said temperature measuring chamber (10); wherein
runners branching upwardly and downwardly from an introductory path (8)
opened to face the flow inlet (3) are provided, a sampling path (27)
constituted by the downward runner is communicated with the sampling
chamber (25) and a communicating path (9) constituted by the runner
extended upwardly is communicated with an upper portion of the temperature
measuring chamber (10).
2. A molten metal probe according to claim 1 wherein a deoxidizer is
charged to at least respectives of the sampling path (27) and the
communicating path (9).
3. A molten metal probe according to claim 1 wherein the sampling path (27)
directed downwardly is communicated with a vicinity of a terminal end of
the introductory path (8), and the communicating path (9) directed
upwardly is communicated with a vicinity of an opening of the introductory
path (8).
4. A molten metal probe according to claim 1 wherein a center axis line
(C2) of the sampling path (27) directed downwardly and a center axis line
(C3) of the communicating path (9) directed upwardly are shifted from each
other, and a distance (L2) from a center axis line (C1) of the probe main
body (1) to the center axis line (C2) and a distance (L3) from the center
axis line (C1) to the center axis line (C3) are formed under a
relationship of L2<L3.
5. A molten metal probe according to claim 1 wherein the communicating path
(9) directed upwardly comprises a linear path (9a) substantially in
parallel with the center axis line (C1) of the probe main body and an
inclined path (9b) extended toward a vicinity of an opening of the
introductory path (8) by being bent from said linear path.
6. A molten metal probe according to claim 1 wherein the introductory path
(8) receives a raised portion (8b) projected upward from a lower face of
the opening wall portion facing the flow inlet (3) and the sampling path
(27) directed downwardly is opened at a top portion of the raised portion.
7. A molten metal probe according to claim 1 wherein;
a unit body (7) molded in a block by a collapsible fire resistant material
is internally mounted to the probe main body (1);
the unit body (7) is formed with the introductory path (8) opened in a side
direction, the communicating path (9) extended upwardly from the
introductory path, the temperature measuring chamber (10) extended
downwardly by being turned back from the communicating path, a holding
chamber (14) at outside of the temperature measuring chamber for holding a
temperature sensor (22) having a temperature sensing portion (22c)
inserted into the temperature measuring chamber and a guide path (11)
extended downwardly from the introductory path (8); and
a sampling vessel (23) constituting the sampling chamber (25) provides a
vessel main body (23a) of a metal with a guide pipe (26) extended
therefrom and inserted into the guide path (11) to form the sampling path
(27) extending downwardly from the introductory path.
8. A molten metal probe according to claim 7 wherein the unit body (7)
comprises divided blocks (7a, 7b) divided in two pieces along a central
axis line of the probe main body (1).
9. A molten metal probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter
pulled up therefrom comprising a probe main body (1), a flow inlet (3)
provided at a side portion of said probe main body for flowing in the
molten metal, a temperature measuring chamber (10) and a sampling chamber
(25) separately provided in said probe main body for solidifying the
molten metal flowed therein respectively, and a temperature sensor (22)
arranged in said temperature measuring chamber (10); further comprising:
a plug (6) internally mounted to a front end portion of the probe main body
and a unit body (7) internally mounted to the probe main body in a state
in which the unit body (7) is connected to the plug;
wherein
the plug (6) and the unit body (7) are separately formed and are molded in
blocks respectively by a collapsible fire resistant material;
the unit body (7) includes an introductory path (8) opened to face the flow
inlet (3), a communicating path (9) extended upwardly from the
introductory path, the temperature measuring chamber (10) extended
downwardly by being turned back from the communicating path, a guide path
(11) extended downwardly from the introductory path (8) and a free space
(13) formed by expanding a lower portion of the guide path and opened to a
lower face of the unit body (7);
the plug (6) includes a holding recess (18) opposed to the free space (13);
and
a sampling vessel (23) constituting the sampling chamber (25) provides a
vessel main body (23a) made of metal with a guide pipe (26) extended
therefrom and inserted into the guide path (11), an upper portion of the
vessel main body (23a) is loosely inserted to the free space (13) and a
lower portion of the vessel main body (23a) is fitted to the holding
recess (18).
10. A molten metal probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter
pulled up therefrom comprising a probe main body (1), a flow inlet (3)
provided at a side portion of said probe main body for flowing in the
molten metal, and a sampling chamber (25) provided in said probe main body
for receiving and storing the flowed-in molten metal; further comprising:
a plug (6) internally mounted to a front end portion of the probe main body
and a unit body (7) internally mounted to the probe main body in a state
in which the unit body (7) is connected to the plug;
wherein
the plug (6) and the unit body (7) are formed separately and molded in
blocks respectively by a collapsible fire resistant material;
the unit body (7) includes an introductory path (8) opened to face the flow
inlet (3), a guide path (11) extended downwardly from the introductory
path and a free space (13) formed by expanding a lower portion of the
guide path and opened to a lower face of the unit body (7);
the plug (6) includes a holding recess (18) opposed to the free space (13);
and
a sampling vessel (23) constituting the sampling chamber (25) provides a
vessel main body (23a) made of metal with a guide pipe (26) extended
therefrom and inserted into the guide path (11), an upper portion of the
vessel main body (23a) is loosely inserted into the free space (13) and a
lower portion of the vessel main body (23a) is fitted to the holding
recess (18).
11. A molten metal probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter
pulled up therefrom comprising a probe main body (1), a flow inlet (3)
provided at a side portion of said probe main body for flowing in the
molten metal, a temperature measuring chamber (10) and a sampling chamber
(25) separately provided in said probe main body for solidifying the
molten metal flowed therein respectively, and a temperature sensor (22)
arranged in said temperature measuring chamber (10); further comprising:
an extended unit body (107) internally mounted to a front end portion of
the probe main body (1) and molded in a block by a collapsible fire
resistant material to form integrally a plug shell portion (107P) facing a
front end of the probe main body and a unit shell portion (107U) extended
therefrom; wherein
the unit shell portion (107U) includes an introductory path (8) opened to
face the flow inlet (3), a communicating path (9) extended upwardly from
the introductory path, the temperature measuring chamber (10) extended
downwardly by being turned back from the communicating path and a guide
path (11) extended downwardly from the introductory path (8);
the plug shell portion (107P) includes a containing chamber (118)
communicating with the guide path (11) and a receiving chamber (120)
arranged in parallel with the containing chamber in a laterally arranged
state and opened downwardly;
a sampling vessel (23) constituting the sampling chamber (25) provides a
vessel main body (23a) made of metal with a guide pipe (26) extended
therefrom and inserted into the guide path (11), the vessel main body
(23a) is fitted to the containing chamber (118); and
outside temperature measuring means (24) is inserted into and held by the
receiving chamber (120).
12. A molten metal probe according to claim 11 wherein the unit shell
portion (107U) provides a holding chamber (114) for holding a holder
portion (122a) of the temperature sensor (122) at outside of the
temperature measuring chamber, said temperature sensor (122) having a
temperature sensing portion (122c) inserted into the temperature measuring
chamber; and
a wire connecting space (S) is formed to open at a side portion of the
extended unit body (107) and communicates with a hole (121) opened at a
bottom wall of the receiving chamber (120).
13. A molten metal probe according to claim 11 wherein the extended unit
body (107) comprises divided blocks (107a, 107b) divided in two pieces
along a central axis line of the probe main body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a molten metal probe used mainly for
sampling and analyzing a sample of molten metal such as molten steel.
2. Description of Related Art
As is publicly known conventionally, a molten metal probe is dipped into
molten steel of a converter or the like by an elevating apparatus referred
to as a sub-lance, pulled up therefrom and utilized for carrying out
analysis of content or the like of molten steel.
A probe main body is provided with a flow inlet for flowing in molten steel
at a side portion thereof, the inside of the probe main body is installed
with a deoxidizing chamber for passing therethrough the flowed-in molten
steel and a sampling chamber which also serves as a temperature measuring
chamber (hereinafter called as the sampling/temperature-measuring chamber)
for solidifying the deoxidized molten steel in a stored state, and a
temperature sensor is arranged in the sampling/temperature-measuring
chamber.
Normally, the deoxidizing chamber and the sampling/temperature-measuring
chamber are formed by a vessel which can be regarded as a single piece as
a whole. The vessel is constituted by bringing a pair of small vessels
opposedly in abutment with each other and interposing a partition plate
therebetween, the deoxidizing chamber is provided by the upper small
vessel with the partition plate as a boundary and the
sampling/temperature-measuring chamber is provided by the lower small
vessel. Further, a through hole is formed in the partition plate and the
temperature sensor which is inserted into the deoxidizing chamber from a
top wall of the upper small vessel, is inserted into the
sampling/temperature-measuring chamber via the through hole. Further, an
introductory hole communicating with the flow inlet of the probe main body
is opened at a side portion of the upper small vessel providing the
deoxidizing chamber.
Hence, molten steel which flows in via the introductory hole, firstly
passes through the deoxidizing chamber, passes through the through hole of
the partition plate and advances into and is stored in the
sampling/temperature-measuring chamber. Molten steel which fills the
sampling/temperature-measuring chamber and successively flows therein is
stored in the deoxidizing chamber.
The sampling/temperature-measuring chamber is surrounded by a wall made of
a metal, solidifies swiftly molten steel stored there and provides a small
lump of solidified molten steel as a sample for instrumental analysis such
as emission spectra analysis or combustion chemical analysis.
Molten steel stored in the sampling/temperature-measuring chamber gradually
solidifies from the surrounding and a temperature measuring unit of the
temperature sensor is made to face a portion where the molten steel
finally solidifies by which solidification temperature data for
determining carbon content of the molten steel is provided.
According to the constitution of the conventional technology, the pair of
small vessels are brought into abutment with each other via the partition
plate and are integrated and held at inside of the probe main body to
constitute a vessel the total of which is regarded as a single piece and
therefore, the assembling operation is not facilitated.
The probe main body needs a paper pipe having a large diameter for
constituting an outer cylinder and a paper pipe having a small diameter
for constituting an inner cylinder and the inner cylinder is fitted into
the outer cylinder in a state in which the vessel is integrated at inside
of the inner cylinder.
When the probe main body is dipped into molten steel, the molten steel
which flows thereinto via the introductory hole, firstly passes through
the deoxidizing chamber, passes through the through hole of the partition
plate, is stored in the sampling/temperature-measuring chamber and fills
this chamber, and subsequently further molten steel which successively
flows thereinto is stored in the deoxidizing chamber.
As is publicly known, the molten steel includes a large amount of oxygen
and therefore, the deoxidizing chamber is previously charged with a
deoxidizer such as an Aluminum piece. Therefore, the flowed-in molten
steel is deoxidized in passing through the deoxidizing chamber and stored
and solidified in the sampling/temperature-measuring chamber in a
deoxidized state. However, the molten steel which has flowed in from the
flow inlet, flows only through a single path reaching the
sampling/temperature-measuring chamber via the deoxidizing chamber and
therefore, when the deoxidizer is melted and exhausted by the initially
flowed-in molten steel, molten steel which successively flows thereinto is
no longer deoxidized. Therefore, the successive undeoxidized molten steel
flows into the sampling/temperature-measuring chamber and is mixed with
molten steel which has formally advanced thereinto and stored there, as a
result, there poses a problem in which blow holes owing to
nondeoxidization is caused in the solidified sample.
Meanwhile, the probe main body which has been pulled up from molten steel
is dropped from a high location toward a floor face. Then, the vessel
which has sampled the sample is taken out from the probe main body, the
solidified sample is taken out from the vessel and the sample is carried
by carrying means such as a pneumatic tube for instrumental analysis.
However, in the case of the conventional technology in which the
deoxidizing chamber and the sampling/temperature-measuring chamber are
constituted by the vessel which is regarded as a single piece as a whole,
the sample which has solidified in the sampling/temperature-measuring
chamber and unnecessary solidified metal which has solidified in the
deoxidizing chamber are connected to each other to thereby form one small
lump and therefore, it is difficult to disassemble the pair of small
vessels constituting the vessel and the partition plate and it is
difficult to take out the solidified sample from the vessel. Further, even
when the solidified sample is succeeded to take out from the vessel
fortunately, before carrying the solidified sample which is an object of
analysis, unless the large unnecessary solidified metal connected to the
solidified sample is separated by a cutter or the like, the sample cannot
be carried by the pneumatic tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a molten metal probe resolving
the above-described problem.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a molten metal
probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter pulled up
therefrom comprising a probe main body, a flow inlet provided at a side
portion of said probe main body for flowing in the molten metal, a
temperature measuring chamber and a sampling chamber separately provided
in said probe main body for solidifying the molten metal flowed therein
respectively, and a temperature sensor arranged in said temperature
measuring chamber; wherein, runners branching upwardly and downwardly from
an introductory path opened to face the flow inlet are provided, a
sampling path constituted by the downward runner is communicated with the
sampling chamber and a communicating path constituted by the runner
extended upwardly is communicated with an upper portion of the temperature
measuring chamber.
At least, a deoxidizer having necessary amounts are charged respectively to
the sampling path, the communicating path and the sampling chamber.
Accordingly, the sampling chamber is filled with only molten metal which
has been preferably deoxidized by a pertinent amount of the deoxidizer
when it passes through a predetermined length of the sampling path and the
molten metal is stored and solidified there and therefore, a sample having
no occurrence of blow hole is obtained. That is, the molten metal is
efficiently deoxidized in the flow-in procedure passing through the long
sampling path reaching the sampling chamber. Further, the temperature
measuring chamber is filled with only molten metal which has been
preferably deoxidized by a pertinent amount of the deoxidizer in passing
through a predetermined length of the communicating path, the molten metal
is stored and solidified there and accordingly, no blow hole is caused at
a finally solidified portion facing a temperature measuring portion of the
temperature sensor and accurate solidification temperature data is
provided.
Further, heat of the molten metal is pertinently taken out in passing
through the long communicating path reaching the temperature measuring
chamber and accordingly, the volume of the temperature measuring chamber
can be reduced and further, emergence of a balanced portion of a waveform
of solidification temperature outputted from the temperature measuring
sensor is accelerated and the waveform can be measured stably.
It is possible to communicate the sampling path directed downwardly with a
vicinity of a terminal end of the introductory path, communicate the
communicating path directed upwardly with a vicinity of an opening of the
introductory path such that the communicating path and the sampling path
branched upwardly and downwardly from the introductory path in this way
are arranged not to be opposed to each other but to shift from each other
in respect of the branch point. Further, it is possible that a center axis
line C2 of the sampling path directed downwardly and a center axis line C3
of the communicating path directed upwardly are shifted from each other
and a distance L2 from a center axis line C1 of the probe main body to the
center axis line C2 and a distance L3 therefrom to the center axis line C3
are brought under a relationship of L2<L3. Further, it is preferable that
the communicating path directed upwardly is constituted by a linear path
substantially in parallel with the center axis line of the probe main body
and an inclined path extended toward a vicinity of an opening of the
introductory path by being bent from the linear path. In this case, it is
preferable that the introductory path is formed with a raised portion
projected upwardly from a lower face of an opening portion facing the flow
inlet at a vicinity of a terminal end of the introductory path and the
sampling path directed downwardly is opened at a top portion of the raised
portion. By such a selective constitution, when molten metal filled in the
communicating path after filling the temperature measuring chamber with
the molten metal, flows down from the communicating path to the
introductory path in pulling up the probe main body, the molten metal is
prevented from being brought into contact with the molten metal filled in
the sampling path and being solidified integrally and is preferably
discharged from the flow inlet to outside.
Further, according to the invention, there is provided a unit body molded
in a block by a collapsible fire resistant material and the unit body is
internally mounted to the probe main body. The unit body is formed with
the introductory path opened in a side direction, the communicating path
extended upwardly from the introductory path, the temperature measuring
chamber extended downwardly by being turned bacl or being folded back from
the communicating path, a holding chamber at outside of the temperature
measuring chamber for holding the temperature sensor having a temperature
measuring portion inserted into the temperature measuring chamber and a
guide path extended downwardly from the introductory path. The sampling
chamber is constituted by a sampling vessel separately from the unit body.
According to the sampling vessel, a guide pipe extended from an inlet
portion of a vessel main body made of a metal is inserted into the guide
path and the sampling path is constituted by the guide pipe. The unit body
is constituted by divided blocks which are divided in two pieces or parts
along the central axis line of the probe main body. Therefore, operation
of integrating the structures in a cylindrical body made of a paper pipe
of the probe main body is facilitated and the assembling operation is
significantly facilitated in comparison with the conventional case.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a molten
metal probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter pulled up
therefrom comprising a probe main body, a flow inlet provided at a side
portion of said probe main body for flowing in the molten metal, a
temperature measuring chamber and a sampling chamber separately provided
in said probe main body for solidifying the molten metal flowed therein
respectively, and a temperature sensor arranged in said temperature
measuring chamber; further comprising: a plug internally mounted to a
front end portion of the probe main body and a unit body internally
mounted to the probe main body in a state in which the unit body is
connected to the plug; wherein, the plug and the unit body are separately
formed and are molded in blocks respectively by a collapsible fire
resistant material; the unit body includes an introductory path opened to
face the flow inlet, a communicating path extended upwardly from the
introductory path, the temperature measuring chamber extended downwardly
by being turned back from the communicating path, a guide path extended
downwardly from the introductory path and a free space formed by expanding
a lower portion of the guide path and opened to a lower face of the unit
body; the plug includes a holding recess opposed to the free space; and a
sampling vessel constituting the sampling chamber provides a vessel main
body made of metal with a guide pipe extended therefrom and inserted into
the guide path, an upper portion of the vessel main body is loosely
inserted to the free space and a lower portion of the vessel main body is
fitted to the holding recess.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a molten
metal probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter pulled up
therefrom comprising a probe main body, a flow inlet provided at a side
portion of said probe main body for flowing in the molten metal, and a
sampling chamber provided in said probe main body for receiving and
storing the flowed-in molten metal; further comprising: a plug internally
mounted to a front end portion of the probe main body and a unit body
internally mounted to the probe main body in a state in which the unit
body is connected to the plug; wherein, the plug and the unit body are
formed separately and molded in blocks respectively by a collapsible fire
resistant material; the unit body includes an introductory path opened to
face the flow inlet, a guide path extended downwardly from the
introductory path and a free space formed by expanding a lower portion of
the guide path and opened to a lower face of the unit body; the plug
includes a holding recess opposed to the free space; and a sampling vessel
constituting the sampling chamber provides a vessel main body made of
metal with a guide pipe extended therefrom and inserted into the guide
path, an upper portion of the vessel main body is loosely inserted into
the free space and a lower portion of the vessel main body is fitted to
the holding recess.
According to the constitution of the invention, when the probe main body
pulled from the molten metal is dropped from a high location to a floor
face, the unit body and the plug are collapsed by impact of drop and
accordingly, the sampling vessel sampled with the solidified sample can
easily be taken out. According to the invention, in the vessel main body
of the sampling vessel, the lower portion is fitted to the holding recess
of the plug and the upper portion is inserted smoothly into the free space
of the unit body. Therefore, until achieving the object of sampling the
molten metal, the sampling vessel is held by the holding recess and in the
meantime, in the state of being dipped into the molten metal, the plug is
gradually made fragile and is partially collapsed and accordingly, after
sampling the molten metal, the exposed sampling vessel can easily be taken
out from the free space of the unit body.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a molten
metal probe which is dipped in molten metal and is thereafter pulled up
therefrom comprising a probe main body, a flow inlet provided at a side
portion of said probe main body for flowing in the molten metal, a
temperature measuring chamber and a sampling chamber separately provided
in said probe main body for solidifying the molten metal flowed therein
respectively, and a temperature sensor arranged in said temperature
measuring chamber; further comprising: an extended unit body internally
mounted to a front end portion of the probe main body and molded in a
block by a collapsible fire resistant material to form integrally a plug
shell portion facing a front end of the probe main body and a unit shell
portion extended therefrom; wherein, the unit shell portion includes an
introductory path opened to face the flow inlet, a communicating path
extended upwardly from the introductory path, the temperature measuring
chamber extended downwardly by being turned back from the communicating
path and a guide path extended downwardly from the introductory path; the
plug shell portion includes a containing chamber communicating with the
guide path and a receiving chamber arranged in parallel with the
containing chamber in a laterally arranged state and opened downwardly; a
sampling vessel constituting the sampling chamber provides a vessel main
body made of metal with a guide pipe extended therefrom and inserted into
the guide path, the vessel main body is fitted to the containing chamber;
and outside temperature measuring means is inserted into and held by the
receiving chamber.
Preferably, the unit shell portion is provided with the holding chamber at
outside of the temperature measuring chamber for holding a holder portion
of the temperature sensor, the temperature sensing portion of the
temperature sensor is inserted into the temperature measuring chamber, and
a wire connecting space portion is formed to open at a side portion of the
extended unit body and communicates with a hole opened at a bottom wall of
the receiving chamber of the plug shell.
Further preferably, the extended unit body comprises divided blocks which
are divided in two pieces or parts along the center axis line of the probe
main body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a molten
metal probe according to the invention;
FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E show cross sections of a probe main body
adopted in the embodiment of the invention in which FIG. 2A is a sectional
view taken from a line A--A of FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken
from a line B--B of FIG. 1, FIG. 2C is a sectional view taken from a line
C--C of FIG. 1, FIG. 2D is a sectional view taken from a line D--D of FIG.
1 and FIG. 2E is a sectional view taken from a line E--E of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of an inner structure of the
probe main body adopted in the embodiment of the invention shown by FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the probe main
body adopted in the embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a solidified
state of molten metal observed when the probe main body adopted in the
embodiment of the invention is dipped into the molten metal and is pulled
up therefrom;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a burnt state
and a collapsed state when the probe main body adopted in the embodiment
of the invention is pulled up from the molten metal;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing other embodiment of a
molten metal probe according to the invention;
FIG. 8 is a disassembled perspective view showing an inner structure of the
probe main body adopted in the other embodiment of the invention shown by
FIG. 7; and
FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view showing an inner structure of a
probe main body according to still other embodiment of the molten metal
probe of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A detailed description will be given of preferred embodiments of the
invention in reference to drawings as follows.
(First Embodiment)
As shown by FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, a probe main body 1 is integrated with a
necessary structure at inside of a cylindrical body 2 made of a paper
pipe. A flow inlet 3 for flowing in molten metal such as molten steel or
the like is opened at a side portion of the cylindrical body 2 and the
flow inlet 3 is closed by an outer skin 4 made of a comparatively thin
paper pipe covering outer periphery of the cylindrical body 2. According
to the probe main body 1, an extension pipe 5 made of a paper pipe
extending upwardly is connected to an elevating apparatus of a sub-lance
and the probe main body 1 is dipped into molten metal such as molten steel
in a converter and is pulled up thereafter. In dipping thereof, the outer
skin 4 burns off when it reaches molten metal bath after passing through a
slag layer to thereby make the flow inlet 3 open and makes the molten
metal flow into the probe main body 1.
The cylindrical body 2 of the probe main body 1 is internally mounted with
a plug 6 and a unit body 7 which are molded in blocks by a collapsible
fire resistant material, respectively. As the fire resistant material, for
example, inorganic particles of foundry sand can be used. According to a
molded article molded by a primary process for stamping a group of
particles, the group of particles are bound via a resin binder by a
secondary process of a sintering process at high temperatures or a
chemical adhering process by using gases at normal temperature. Further, a
film formed by a mold coating agent can be provided on the surface of the
unit body 7 including an introductory path 8, a communicating path 9 and a
temperature measuring chamber 10 as necessary. The molded article formed
in this way is made fragile and becomes gradually more collapsible from
the surface by burning off the resin binder when it is dipped into molten
metal. As illustrated, in respect of the unit body 7 inserted into a
vicinity of a front end of the cylindrical body 2, the plug 6 is
insertingly attached to an opening at the front end of the cylindrical
body 2 by which the plug 6 and the unit body 7 are bonded in series.
The unit body 7 is formed with the introductory path 8 which is opened to
face the flow inlet 3 of the cylindrical body 2, the communicating path 9
extending upwardly from the introductory path 8 and the temperature
measuring chamber 10 extending downwardly by being folded back from the
communicating path 9 and the introductory path 8 and the temperature
measuring chamber 10 are arranged to distribute substantially in left and
in right in respect with a central axis line of the unit body 7. Further,
a guide path 11 extended downwardly from the introductory path 8 is
formed, a holding path 12 which is extended from the guide path 11 and the
inner diameter of which is expanded and a free space 13 which is extended
from the holding path 12 and the inner diameter of which is further
expanded, are formed and the free space 13 is made to open at a lower face
of the unit body 7.
The communicating path 9 and the guide path 11 which are branched from the
introductory path 8 upwardly and downwardly, are not exactly opposed to
each other in respect of the branch point but is arranged to shift from
each other. As illustrated, according to the introductory path 8, while a
lower face of an opening portion 8a facing the flow inlet 3 is formed low,
a vicinity of a terminal end of the introductory path 8 is formed high by
which a raised portion 8b is formed. Further, while the guide path 11 is
opened at the top portion of the raised portion 8b, the communicating path
9 is opened to the opening portion 8a. Therefore, as shown by FIG. 4, a
central axis line C2 of the guide path 11 and a central axis line C3 of
the communicating path 9 are shifted from each other and a distance L2
from a central axis line C1 of the unit body 7 to the central axis line C2
of the guide path 11 and a distance L3 therefrom to the central axis line
C3 of the communicating path 9 are formed under a relationship of L2<L3.
Further, the communicating path 9 is provided with a linear path 9a
substantially in parallel with the central axis line C1 of the unit body 7
and an inclined path 9b which is inclined to bend from the linear path and
extends toward the opening 8a of the introductory path 8. As a result, a
cover portion 8c is formed above the guide path 11.
Further, the unit body 7 is formed with the holding chamber 14 for holding
a temperature sensor mentioned later above the temperature measuring
chamber 10 and is formed with a drawing groove 15 for drawing a lead wire
of an outside temperature measuring means mentioned later, at a vicinity
of the free space 13. Further, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 1, an
extension groove 15a along a side portion of the unit body 7 may be formed
to extend from the drawing groove 15.
As shown by FIG. 3, the unit body 7 is constituted by divided blocks 7a and
7b, each configuration of which is shaped by dividing the unit body 7 in
two along the central axis line and integrated substantially in a circular
column shape as a whole by opposing and overlapping the pair of divided
blocks 7a and 7b in a symmetrical shape.
The upper end portion of the unit body 7 is constituted by a small diameter
portion 16 having a reduced outer diameter and as shown by FIG. 1, the
small diameter portion 16 is fitted to a holding cylinder 17 comprising a
paper pipe in a state in which the couple of divided blocks 7a and 7b are
assembled. As is apparent by viewing the disassembled state of the unit
body shown by FIG. 3, at a partition wall portion disposed between the
holding chamber 14 and the temperature measuring chamber 10, a through
hole 14a for inserting a temperature measuring pipe of a temperature
sensor 22, mentioned later, is formed. Further, at the free space portion
13, ribs 13a for positioning a sampling vessel, mentioned later, are
provided. Further, as shown by FIG. 3, in the divided blocks 7a and 7b
which are halved in a symmetrical shape, respective halves of the
introductory path 8, the communicating path 9 and the guide path 11 which
are branched from the introductory path, the temperature measuring chamber
10 and the holding chamber 14 of the unit body 7 are formed. Accordingly,
in FIG. 3, constituent portions showing the halves are designated by
attaching notations produced by adding H to notations designating
respective structural constitutions mentioned above.
The plug 6 is provided with a circular disk portion 6a insertingly attached
to a front end of the cylindrical body 2 and a flange portion 6b opposed
to a front end face of the cylindrical body 2. It is preferable to
interpose adhering means such as fire resistant cement between the
circular disk portion 6a and the cylindrical body 2 and it is preferable
that the outer periphery of the flange portion 6b is covered by the outer
skin 4. The circular disk portion 6a is formed with a holding recess 18
opposed to the free space 13 of the unit body 7 further, on the lower face
of the plug 6, a boss portion 19 is projected at a position deviated from
the center, a holding hole 20 for holding outside temperature measuring
means 24 is formed from the boss portion 19 toward the inside of the
circular disk portion 6a and a drawing hole 21 for drawing lead wires is
formed at the bottom portion of the holding hole 20.
The temperature sensor 22, a sampling vessel 23 and the outside temperature
measuring means 24 are integrated to the plug 6 and the unit body 7 by
which the probe main body 1 in the molten metal probe of the invention is
formed.
The temperature sensor 22 is constituted to extend a temperature measuring
pipe 22b from a holder portion 22a, a thermocouple is installed at inside
of the temperature measuring pipe 22b and a temperature sensing portion
22c is provided at a front end portion of the temperature measuring pipe
22b. The temperature measuring pipe 22b is formed by, for example, a
quartz pipe. In the illustrated example, as show in FIG. 4, both of the
holding chamber 14 and the temperature measuring chamber 10 which are
formed in a unit body 7, are formed such that a central axis line C5 of
the holding chamber 14 is more proximate to the central axis line C1 of
the unit body 7 than a central axis line C4 of the temperature measuring
chamber 10 by which the holding chamber 14 is formed in a size sufficient
for being able to hold the holder portion 22a. In correspondence
therewith, according to the temperature sensor 22, the temperature
measuring pipe 22b is made eccentric in respect with the holder portion
22a. Thereby, when the holder portion 22a is held by the holding chamber
14, the temperature measuring pipe 22b is inserted to a position along the
central axis line C4 of the temperature measuring chamber 10 via the
through hole 14a. Further, although illustration is omitted, lead wires
led out from the holder portion 22a are connected to a connector installed
above the unit body 7.
The sampling vessel 23 is installed with a vessel main body 23a made of
metal constituting a sampling chamber 25, is provided with a guide pipe 26
extended from an inlet portion 23b of the vessel main body 23a and
constitutes a sampling path 27 by the guide pipe 26. Preferably, the guide
pipe 26 is constituted by a quartz pipe and is insertingly attached to the
inlet portion 23b. A collar 28 is outwardly mounted on the inlet portion
23b and the color 28 is formed by, for example, a paper pipe.
In the illustrated example, the vessel main body 23a is constituted by a
flat vessel in order to sample a solidified sample in a disk shape from
molten metal. Hence, in mounting the sampling vessel 23 to the unit body
7, by inserting the upper portion of the vessel main body 23a into the
free space portion 13 and positioning the vessel main body 23a by bringing
the vessel main body 23a in line contact or point contact with the ribs
13a formed in the free space 13, the collar 28 is fitted to the holding
path 12. Under the state, the guide pipe 26 is adaptably fitted to the
guide path 11 and the front end of the guide pipe 26 is positioned to be
flush with the top face of the raised portion 8b. The lower portion of the
vessel main body 23a projected from the free space 13 is fittedly held by
the holding recess 18 of the plug 6. That is, the lower surface of the
vessel main body 23a is closely fitted to the holding recess portion 18 by
face contact.
The outside temperature measuring means 24 is constituted to extend a
temperature measuring pipe 24b comprising a quartz pipe in a U-like shape
from a holder portion 24a, is provided with a thermocouple at inside of
the temperature measuring pipe 24b and is installed with a cap 24c made of
metal for covering the temperature measuring pipe 24b. The holder portion
24a is insertingly attached from the boss portion 19 of the plug 6 toward
the holding hole 20 and the cap 24c is projected downwardly from the boss
portion 19. Further, although illustration is omitted, lead wires led out
from the holder portion 24a are connected through the drawing hole 21 of
the plug 6 to a connector installed above the unit body 7 via the drawing
groove 15 of the unit body 7.
Although illustration is omitted, a deoxidizer of an aluminum piece is
charged into the communicating path 9, the sampling path 27 and the
sampling chamber 25. When the probe main body 1 is moved downwardly to
molten metal by an elevating apparatus of a sub-lance, the probe main body
1 is dipped into a molten metal bath by passing through a slag layer.
Thereby, the cap 24c of the outside temperature measuring means 24 is
melted away and temperature of molten metal is measured. Further, the
outer skin 4 is burned off, the flow inlet 3 is opened and molten metal is
made to flow into the inside of the probe main body 1. As shown by an
arrow mark in FIG. 4, the molten metal which flowed from the flow inlet 3
into the introductory path 8 is branched upwardly and downwardly and flows
toward the communicating path 9 and the sampling path 27.
The molten metal which flows from the introductory path 8 into the long
sampling path 27, is efficiently deoxidized by the deoxidizer charged to
the sampling path 27 in the flow-in procedure of passing through the long
sampling path 27, thereafter, flows into the sampling chamber 25, is
solidified there and is provided as a solidified sample 29 for analysis
such as instrumental analysis. An amount of the deoxidizer charged to the
sampling path 27 is selected to a pertinent amount with no excess and
deficiency in accordance with an amount of the molten metal filled in the
sampling chamber 25 and accordingly, no blow hole is caused by
nondeoxidation in the solidified sample 29 sampled by the sampling chamber
25 and the deoxidizer is not precipitated at inside thereof. The flowed-in
molten metal is filled not only in the sampling chamber 25 but also in the
sampling path 27 and the introductory path 8 and when the probe main body
1 is pulled up, molten metal discharged from the introductory path 8
toward the flow inlet 3 is separated from the molten metal filled in the
sampling path 27 at a portion of the raised portion 8b. Accordingly, as
shown in FIG. 5, the molten metal filled in the sampling vessel 23
provides the independent solidified sample 29 and is not provided with
other unnecessary solidified metal.
The molten metal which flows from the introductory path 8 into the long
communicating path 9 is efficiently deoxidized by the deoxidizer charged
in the communicating path 9 in the flow-in procedure of passing through
the long communicating path 9 and thereafter, flows into the temperature
measuring chamber 10. At this occasion, the molten metal which flows in
powerfully, advances to the communicating path 9 branched from the
introductory path 8, passes through the linear path 9a via the bent
inclined path 9b and reaches the temperature measuring chamber 10 by
changing its direction from the linear path 9a by which the flow velocity
is decelerated and heat is taken out pertinently. Accordingly, the
mechanical impact and the thermal impact which the flow of the molten
metal applies on the temperature measuring pipe 22b are comparatively
small and accordingly, destruction of the temperature measuring pipe 22b
comprising a quartz pipe is prevented. As illustrated, it is preferable to
provide a projected portion 10a at a portion for communicating the
communicating path 9 with the temperature measuring chamber 10 and when
the inlet of the temperature measuring chamber 10 is contracted thereby,
the molten metal which has flowed into the temperature measuring chamber
10 can be prevented from flowing back to the communicating path 9 by an
agitating flow. The molten metal filled in the temperature measuring
chamber 10 is gradually solidified from the surrounding and temperature is
measured by arranging the temperature sensing portion 22c of the
temperature sensor 22 substantially at the center of the temperature
measuring chamber 10 and at a position having excellent thermal balance in
order to obtain a balanced portion of a measured temperature value. As
mentioned above, heat of the molten metal is taken out after passing
through the long communicating path 9 and therefore, the volume of the
temperature measuring chamber 10 can be designed to be reduced. Further,
after the molten metal has filled the temperature measuring chamber 10,
solidification is swiftly started. Thereby, emergence of a balanced
portion in a waveform of solidification temperature outputted from the
temperature measuring sensor is accelerated and a stable waveform can be
measured. Further, the molten metal is deoxidized by the deoxidizer having
a necessary and sufficient amount which is charged into the communicating
path 9 efficiently in the flow-in procedure for passing through the long
communicating path 9 and accordingly, when the molten metal is solidified
in the temperature measuring chamber 10, no blow hole by deficiency in
deoxidation is caused at the vicinity of the temperature measuring portion
22c and a stable and accurate solidification temperature data is provided.
Although the flowed-in molten metal is filled not only in the temperature
measuring chamber 10 but also in the communicating path 9 and the
introductory path 8, when the probe main body 1 is pulled up, the molten
metal in the communicating path 9 is discharged from the flow inlet 3 via
the introductory path 8. At this occasion, the molten metal flowing out
from the communicating path 9 flows down toward the opening 8a of the
introductory path 8 along the inclined path 9b. Therefore, a portion of
the flowed-down molten metal is not connected to the molten metal filled
in the sampling path 27. Further, as shown by FIG. 5, the molten metal
filled in the temperature measuring chamber 10 is made to remain in the
temperature measuring chamber 10 as unnecessary solidified metal 30 after
providing solidification temperature data.
According to the probe main body 1 pulled up from the bath of the molten
metal, the cylindrical body 2 is considerably burnt, as mentioned above,
the plug 6 is made fragile and at least the surface is collapsed and
therefore, as shown by FIG. 6, the sampling vessel 23 is partially
exposed. Hence, when the probe main body 1 is dropped from a high location
to a floor face, the plug 6 and the unit body 7 which have been made
fragile, are collapsed by impact and the sampling vessel 23 can be
detached. That is, the holding recess 18 of the plug 6 has already been
collapsed partially and accordingly, the sampling vessel 23 is easily
detached spontaneously from the free space 13 of the unit body 7. In this
case, assuming that the sampling vessel 23 cannot be detached from the
unit body 7, when an operator grasps an exposed portion of the sampling
vessel 23 by a jig such as a pinch, the sampling vessel 23 can easily be
drawn from the free space 13. Thereafter, the sampling vessel 23 is
carried by a carrying apparatus such as a pneumatic tube and is provided
to analysis of instrumental analysis. Further, before the transportation,
the solidified sample 29 may be taken out from the sampling vessel 23.
(Second Embodiment)
FIGS. 7 and 8 show other embodiment of the invention. Although in the first
embodiment described previously in reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, the
article inserted to the probe main body comprises two kinds of molded
articles of the plug 6 and the unit body 7, the second embodiment shown by
FIGS. 7 and 8 provides an extended unit body 107 in which such two kinds
of molded articles are integrated into one piece.
The extended unit body 107 is molded in a collapsible block by a fire
resistant material comprising inorganic particles of foundry sand similar
to the first embodiment, is integrally provided with a plug shell portion
107P facing the front end of the probe main body 1 and a unit shell
portion 107U extended therefrom and comprises divided blocks 107a and 107b
which are halved along the center axis line. Accordingly, by opposing and
overlapping the pair of divided blocks 107a and 107b in a symmetrical
shape, they are integrated substantially in a circular column shape as a
whole and are internally mounted to the cylindrical body 2 of the probe
main body 1.
The unit shell portion 107U is formed with the introductory path 8 opened
to face the flow inlet 3 of the cylindrical body 2, the communicating path
9 extended upwardly from the introductory path 8 and the temperature
measuring chamber 10 extended downwardly by being turned or folded back
from the communicating path 9 and the introductory path 8 and the
temperature measuring chamber 10 are arranged to allocate substantially in
left and in right in respect of the center axis line of the extended unit
body 107. Further, the guide path 11 extended downwardly from the
introductory path 8 is formed and the holding path 12 which is extended
from the guide path 11 and the inner diameter of which is expanded, is
formed. According to the introductory path 8, while the lower face of the
opening portion 8a facing the flow inlet 3 is formed low, a vicinity of
the terminal end of the introductory path 8 is formed high by which the
raised portion 8b is formed and the guide path 11 is opened at the top
portion of the raised portion 8b. The communicating path 9 is provided
with the linear path 9a substantially in parallel with the central axis
line of the unit shell portion 107U and the inclined path 9b inclined to
be bent from the linear path and extended toward the opening portion 8a of
the introductory path 8 and the cover portion 8c is formed above the guide
path 11. These points are the same as in the structure of the first
embodiment.
However, as shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, the unit shell portion 107U is formed
with a holding chamber 114 for holding a temperature sensor 122 on the
lower side of the temperature measuring chamber 10 and is provided with
communication holes 14b for inserting a temperature measuring pipe of the
temperature sensor 122 at a partition wall 10b for partitioning the
temperature measuring chamber 10 from the holding chamber 114.
The plug shell portion 107P is formed with a containing chamber 118
communicating with the holding path 12 extended from the guide path 11 and
a receiving chamber 120 formed in parallel with the containing chamber 118
in a lateral arrangement and opened downwardly.
The extended unit body 107 is formed with a wire connecting space portion S
disposed between the holding chamber 114 of the unit shell port ion 107U
and the receiving chamber 120 of the plug shell portion 107P and opened in
a side direction and a hole 121 communicating with the wire connecting
space portion S is opened at the bottom wall of the receiving chamber 120.
FIG. 8 shows a state of disassembling the divided blocks 107a and 107b
which are halved in a symmetrical shape and respective halves of the
introductory path 8 mentioned above, the communicating path 9 and the
guide path 11 which are branched from the introductory path, the
temperature measuring chamber 10, the holding chamber 114, the containing
chamber 118 and the receiving chamber 120 are shown. Therefore,
constituent portions showing only halves thereof are designated by
attaching notations adding H to notations designating respective
structural constitutions mentioned above.
The extended unit body 107 is integrated with the temperature sensor 122,
the sampling vessel 23 and the outside temperature measuring means 24 to
thereby form the probe main body 1 according to the molten metal probe of
the invention.
The temperature sensor 122 is similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,741,072 having a constitution in which a temperature measuring pipe 122b
in a U-like shape is extended from a holder portion 122a, a thermocouple
is provided at inside of the temperature measuring pipe 122b and a
temperature sensing portion 122c is constituted by the front end portion
of the temperature measuring pipe 122b. In this case, in a state in which
the temperature sensing portion 122c is inserted to a predetermined
position of the temperature measuring chamber 10, the temperature
measuring pipe 122b is inserted into and held by the through holes 14b and
a holder portion 122a is held by the holding chamber 114.
Further, pins led out from the holder portion 122a are connected to a
connector (not illustrated) in the wire connecting space portion S.
According to the sampling vessel 23, the vessel main body 23a made of metal
for constituting the sampling chamber 25 is contained in and held by the
containing chamber 118 of the plug shell portion 107P, the collar 28
installed at the inlet portion 23b of the vessel main body 23a is fitted
to the holding path 12 and the guide pipe 26 extended from the inlet
portion 23b is adaptably fitted to the guide path 11. In such a state, the
front end of the guide pipe 26 is disposed in flush with the top face of
the raised portion 8b.
According to the outside temperature measuring means 24, the holder portion
24a is inserted into and fixed by the receiving chamber 120 of the plug
shell portion 107P and the temperature measuring pipe 24b covered by the
cap 24c made of metal is projected downwardly from the plug shell portion
107P. Lead wires led out from the holder portion 24a are led to the wire
connecting space portion S via holes 121 and are connected there to a
connector (not illustrated).
Further, it is preferable to charge a deoxidizer such as an aluminum piece
to the communicating path 9, the sampling path 27 and the sampling chamber
25.
(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the invention and similar to the second
embodiment shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, there is provided the extended unit
body 107 integrally installed with the plug shell portion 107P and the
unit shell portion 107U. The extended unit body 107 is integrated
substantially in a circular column shape as a whole by opposing and
overlapping the pair of divided blocks 107a and 107b in a symmetrical
shape which are divided in two along the center axis line and is
internally mounted to the cylindrical body of the probe main body similar
to the second embodiment. Further, FIG. 9 shows a state where the divided
blocks 107a and 107b are disassembled and notations designating respective
structural constitutions are respectively attached with H.
According to the third embodiment, in the unit shell portion 107U, the
holding chamber 14 is formed outside of and above the temperature
measuring chamber 10, the holder portion 22a of the temperature sensor 22
is held by the holding chamber 14 and the temperature measuring pipe 22b
of the temperature sensor 22 is inserted through the through hole 14a by
which the temperature sensing portion 22c is made to face a predetermined
position of the temperature measuring chamber 10 and this point is similar
to that in the first embodiment shown by FIG. 3.
Although similar to the first embodiment and the second embodiment,
according to a sampling vessel 123, the collar 28 is outwardly mounted to
the inlet portion 23b of a vessel main body 123a made of metal and the
guide pipe 26 is extended from the inlet portion 23b, according to the
third embodiment, as shown by FIG. 9, in the flat sampling chamber 25
formed by the vessel main body 123a, a thick sampling chamber 25a is
formed in the upper portion and a thin sampling chamber 25b is formed in
the lower portion.
The invention can be modified variously based on the spirit of invention
described in the scope of claims and it is intended to understand that the
arrangement relationship between the temperature sensor and the holding
chamber and the shape and the kind of the sampling vessel are not limited
to those in the illustrated embodiments.
(Advantage of the Invention)
According to the embodiment, runners branched upwardly and downwardly from
the introductory path 8 opened to face the flow inlet 3 are provided, the
sampling path 27 constituted by the runner directed downwardly is
communicated with the sampling chamber 25 and the communicating path 9
constituted by the runner extended upwardly is communicated with the upper
portion of the temperature measuring chamber 10 and accordingly, storing
and solidifying molten metal for providing solidification temperature data
and storing and solidifying molten metal for providing a solidified sample
for analysis such as instrumental analysis by the molten metal which flows
in from the same position, can be carried out simultaneously by the molten
metal under the same condition. Further, by respectively forming the
sampling path 27 and the communicating path 9 in predetermined lengths,
heat of the flowed-in molten metal can pertinently be taken out and
further, the molten metal is preferably deoxidized in the flow-in
procedure and accordingly, the optimum solidification temperature data can
be provided and the optimum solidified sample can be provided.
Further, in this way, the introductory path 8 communicating with the
temperature measuring chamber 10 and the sampling path 27 communicating
with the sampling chamber 25 are branched upwardly and downwardly from the
introductory path 8 and therefore, the probe main body 1 can be
constituted compactly as a whole. Further, as a result, the principal
inner structure of the probe main body 1 can be constituted by the unit
body 7 and the plug 6 which are molded in blocks by a fire resistant
material and the assembling operation is facilitated and mass production
formation and low cost formation thereof can be realized.
Further, the communicating path 9 and the sampling path 27 which are
branched upwardly and downwardly from the introductory path 8 are arranged
not to be opposed to each other but to shift from each other in respect of
the branch point, the communicating path 9 is directed to the opening 8a
of the introductory path 8 and the sampling path 27 is opened at the top
portion of the raised portion 8b and accordingly, when the temperature
measuring chamber 10 and the sampling chamber 25 are filled with molten
metal and thereafter, the probe main body 1 is pulled up, the molten metal
flowing down from the communicating path 9 is not flowed to the sampling
path 27 and is pertinently discharged from the introductory path 8 to the
flow inlet 3. Therefore, the solidified sample 29 sampled by the sampling
chamber 25 is not integrally connected to the unnecessary solidified metal
30 which remains in the temperature measuring chamber 10 or other
unnecessary solidified metal, the sampling vessel 23 including the
solidified sample 29 can easily be taken out from the probe main body 1
and can be preferably carried for analysis such as instrumental analysis.
Further, according to the invention, the plug 6 and the unit body 7 are
molded in blocks by a collapsible fire resistant material, the upper
portion of the sampling vessel 23 is loosely fitted to the free space 13
formed by enlarging the lower portion of the guide path 11 provided in the
unit body 7 and in the meantime, the lower portion of the sampling vessel
23 is fittedly held by the holding recess 18 formed in the plug 6 and
accordingly, in a state in which the probe main body 1 is dipped into
molten metal, the sampling vessel 23 can preferably be maintained and in
the meantime, after elapse of a predetermined time period, the plug 6 is
made fragile and is gradually collapsed from the surface by which the
sampling vessel 23 is partially exposed. Therefore, when the probe main
body 1 is pulled up and is dropped onto a floor face, the sampling vessel
23 is spontaneously detached therefrom by impact or can be drawn easily by
a jig and therefore, sample carrying operation by a carrying apparatus
such as a pneumatic tube can be carried out swiftly and easily at the site
of the operation.
Further, according to the block-molded article, when it is provided as the
extended unit body 107 integrally installed with the plug shell portion
107a and the unit shell portion 107b, owing to a reduction in a number of
parts, the integral body contributes to low cost and facilitated formation
of assembling operation.
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